Truckers Demand Road Rule Changes to Boost Efficiency | RNZ News

Trucking operators across New Zealand are escalating a dispute with the Transport Agency (NZTA) over regulations they say hinder the adoption of safer, more efficient heavy vehicles. A coalition of 11 industry associations, representing truckers, crane operators, and even agricultural machinery operators, have warned of potential disruptions during an election year if progress isn’t made on reforming the 23-year-ancient Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) rule.

The industry groups detailed their frustrations in a letter to NZTA chair Simon Bridges late last month, arguing the existing regulations are blocking the import and operation of modern vehicles. They pointed to the potential for scaling up maximum truck weights from 58 to 62 tonnes with the advent of electric vehicles, which require additional weight for battery systems. “The level of anger from our members and the risk of more pronounced public responses during an election year should not be underestimated if tangible progress is not made,” the letter stated.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop acknowledged the concerns, stating he had “heard operators loud and clear” and that the government was committed to transport rule reform, a promise made last June. Bishop said he was aware of the operators’ frustrations, but cautioned that changes were complex. The NZTA offered another meeting to the associations, scheduled for Tuesday this week, following earlier discussions that industry representatives described as unproductive.

Dom Kalasih, head of Transporting NZ, which represents 1100 trucking firms, expressed a sense of being “pushed from pillar to post.” He said the NZTA often frames responsibility as lying with the Ministry of Transport, despite the agency’s long-standing role in sector engagement and providing technical advice. “We seem to get pushed from pillar to post,” Kalasih said.

The concerns extend beyond traditional trucking. Crane operators, also signatories to the letter, highlighted the cumbersome permitting process for operating large cranes. Sarah Toase of the Crane Association said obtaining permits for crane operations can consume “hours, hours a day.” Federated Farmers and Rural Contractors NZ also voiced concerns, citing restrictive bridge crossing limits for combine harvesters, impacting agricultural operations. “We’re not just talking about road freight, we’re talking about harvesting of food,” a source within the agricultural sector said.

One key proposal under the planned reforms is to remove permitting requirements for trucks operating between 44 and 50 tonnes, even as still adhering to the design and weight limits of the ‘50MAX’ class and approved routes. Electronic monitoring systems, now widely used, would help ensure compliance with route restrictions. The reforms also aim to reduce compliance costs for electric buses, which often exceed a seven-tonne weight threshold due to their batteries.

However, Toase argued the proposed changes don’t go far enough, stating that cranes are “always being dealt with in retrospect” and routinely require exemptions from rules designed for standard trucks. She cited issues with electronic brake testing, which she said produces inaccurate results for cranes due to their unique engineering, leading to unnecessary compliance failures and reverting to manual testing.

The Ministry of Transport defended the pace of reform, stating that changes enabling larger or heavier vehicles raise “complex safety, infrastructure and cost considerations.” The Ministry emphasized the need for research on the impact on roads and potential infrastructure investments. Industry representatives, however, accused the agency of unnecessarily outsourcing analysis to consultants, even after scaling back the reform’s ambition.

Kalasih criticized the scope of the current reform work as “frankly incredibly underwhelming and lacks ambition,” arguing it was “totally at odds with what Minister Bishop has asked for.” He expressed frustration with repeated reviews and meetings, and a perceived lack of prioritization. The industry groups are now seeking a direct meeting with Minister Bishop.

Phase two of the VDAM rule reform is currently open for consultation, following an initial phase that began last October. The NZTA acknowledged the impact of the current rules on the industry and stated it was engaging with representatives to understand their challenges. NZTA chair Simon Bridges, in a letter responding to the associations, acknowledged their concerns and offered the additional meeting scheduled for Tuesday.